New Year resolutions

After the holidays, many of our kababayan express regret over spending too much. According to Bantay OCW financial counselor Joyce “Josa” Delovieres, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) consume a large part of their earnings on luxuries and modern gadgets.

Money matters cause strains in OFW families. These may be familiar refrains: “Saan dinala ang pera at bakit ganito, bakit nagka-ganun (Where did the money go? What happened. Why did it happen?)”

Whatever happened the previous year, our kababayan can only hope the New Year will allow him or her to replenish family savings. The common resolution is to make things right and change for the better. Everyone has great hopes and high expectations.

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Additionally, OFWs usually have long list of New Year resolutions aimed at correcting the mistakes of the previous year. But, truth to tell, they know those promises are hard to fulfill. Didn’t they make the same resolutions last year?

We hope OFWs double their resolve and remember that working abroad may not last a lifetime. They cannot escape aging. Time will come when even if they still want to work in another country, they will not be accepted by foreign employers because of their age.

OFWs should prepare for their retirement as early as they can. Time will come when they will stop earning dollars. They should do this before it’s too late, before the time comes when they might be forever asking themselves, “where did I go wrong?”

Attention seafarers

Masters & Mates Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MMAP) will convene for its General Assembly meeting on February 23 at the MMAP House, 1729 F. Agoncillo St., Malate, Manila starting at 9:00 a.m. This marks the conclusion of the terms of the incumbent Board of directors and officers. Per by laws, a new set of board members will be elected. Aspiring directors may file Certificates of Candidacy with the Comelec, composed of: Capts. Hermogenes Bitanga, chair; Rustico Sevilla, cochair, and Antonio Q. Peñarubia, Simeon B. Balita and Franciso C. Laoag. Registration period is from December 23, 2012 to January 8, 2013, at 5 F CTC Commercial Building, Taft Avenue corner P. Gil St., Malate, Manila.